Vertical broach



Jun

' HART VERTICAL BROACH Filed F heet l mzzl-d, il

MQ/Mn ATTORNEYS;

June 20, 1939. w, A. HART VERTICAL BROAGH 4 sheetssheet 2 Filed Feb.y 15, 1956 lINVENTOR Millar?? H Har-ZI BY l )fe 914414 A ORNEYS- June 20, 41939. I w A HART 2,162,813

VERTICAL BROACH Filed Feb. l5, 1936 4 SheetS-Sheet 3 IN V ENTO R millar Hari.

TTORNEY5- June 2o, 1939. V Wl A HART 2,162,813

VERTICAL BROAGH /zvI/z/SNTORl A TTORNEYS.

Patented lune 20, 1939 VERTICAL BROACH William A. Hart, Detroit, Mich., assigner to `Colonial Breach Company, va corporation of Michigan Application February 15, 17936, Serial No. 64,061

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to machine tools, and in particular provides an improved fully automatic breaching machine.

Objects of the present invention are to provide an improved breaching machine of the fully automatic type, in the operation of which stock to be breached may be placed over the free end of the breach and temporarily supported upon a supporting table, the breach then moved by return mechanism to the breach head at a starting pesition and engaged thereby, the breach then drawn through the stock, permitting it to be manually or automatically discharged from the machine, and the breach then returned te the starting position and released to the return mechanism, by which it Vis conveyed away from the breach head to a loading position, permitting new stock to be tted thereover in readiness for the next breaching operation; te provide such a machine in which the return mechanism occupies .the starting position during Athe breaching operation and does not return to the loading position until after receiving the breach from the breach head at the conclusion of the return stroke of the f latter; to provide such a machine in which the return mechanism receives the broach directly from the breach head at the conclusionof the return stroke of the latter, thus eliminating the necessity for a free fall of the breach from the breach head to the return mechanism, and eliminating the necessity of guiding structure for guid ing the breach between the time it is released by the breach head and the time it is received by the return mechanism.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide an improved breaching machine of the above described type, in which the entire breaching cycle is automatic, the starting of a complete breaching cycle being effected manually, and the remaining steps being e'ected automatically in response te the arrival of the breach head and of the return mechanism respectively at predetermined peints in their travel.

With the above and other objects in view which appear in the following description and in the appended claim, a preferred but illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View in elevation of the machine as a whole;

Figure 2 is a view in central vertical section of the machine shown inrFigure 1 Figure 4 is a view inhorizontal section, taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Figure 6 is a schematic view of illustrative centrol mechanism for eecting the automatic operating sequence of the machine. l

Referring iirst to vthe general view, Figure 1, the machine, which is of the vertically disposed type, comprises generally a supporting and enclosing frame structure IIJ, constructed todefine vertical ways I2 and I4, upon which a cross head I 6 is guided for upward and downward movement, between the illustrated starting or lower position and arlimit position above the starting position.

CIL

The illustrated machine is of the multiple type,

and accordingly, the cross head I6 is arranged to accommodate a plurality of breach draw head assemblies, each designated generally as I8 in Figure 1. Broaches 2G are shown in Figure l as supported in a leading position within sockets such as 22, carried by a cross head 2B which is reciprecable vertically of the machine between the illustrated loading position and a higher startingk position by the fluid pressure mechanism hereinafter described in more detail. In the loading position of the machine shown in Figure l, it will be noted that the upper ends of the breaches 23 are disposed in spaced relation to and below the lower ends of the draw heads I8, thus permitting work pieces such Aas 26, to be itted over the ends thereof. When thus fitted over the ends of the breaches 20, the work pieces 26 restrupen the stationary table designated generally as 28. The breaching operation is initiated, as later described, by raising the cross head mechanism 24, carrying with it breaches 2S, te positions in which the upper ends of the breaches arereceived in and locked within breach heads I8. During the breaching operation, the stock is supported on the under side of the stationary work supports 3U. At the conclusion of a breaching operation, the lower toothed portions of the breaches 20 pass above the lower edges of-the supports 30, thus permitting the completed werk pieces 26 to fall freely therefrom, at which time they are discharged from the machinein the manner hereinafter described. Supports 3B are carried upon a stationary U-shaped bracket 3I which extends forwardly from the frame Ill, and between the two -legs of which the head I6 is free to move.

Preferably, and as illustrated, the necessary control elements for the machine, which may include the starting handle 32 and the emergency stop lever 34, are supported upon the exterior of themachine, adjacent the front thereof, for convenient operation by the machine operator. Preferably, and as illustrated also, the machine is provided at the front with a raised platform 36, upon which the machine operator may stand and from which position he may conveniently feed work pieces to the broaches 28, and supervise the discharge of the completed work pieces from 'the machine.

Considering the above mentioned elements in more detail, and referring particularly to Figures 2,3 and 4, the crosshead I6 which supports the previously mentioned broach heads i8 is eitherformed integrally with or is suitably secured to the outer casing 4@ of a fiuid pressure operated cylinder which is provided With laterally extending guide portions 42 and 44, which ride in the ways |2 and i4, defined by the frame portions 45 and 48 and by the guide bars 5|) and 52, which are secured to the frame by the studs 54 and 56 respectively.

`The guide thus provided for cylinder 40 extends throughout its travel.

Cylinder 4e is preferably of the type described and claimed in the co-pending application of the present applicant, Serial No. 42,619, led September 28, 1935, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. As described in more detail in that application, casing 4@ is provided With an inner cylinder E0, which is secured in place axially oi the casing 4t by the upper and lower enclosing cap plates 62 and E4. Cap plate G4 is provided with an axial passage to accommodate the piston rod l'. Piston rod SG is stationarily supported on a boss 68, forming part of or suitably secured to the machine frame and positioned at the base thereof, and at its upper end is provided with a suitable piston T0. Piston rod E3 comprises two concentric tubes 12 and '|4, the inner one of which communicates with an opening 'IE formed in piston l, and thus communicates with the chamber portion above piston lil. lIhe outer tube '|2 is provided with lateral ports 'i8 through which the interior thereof communicates with the chamber space beneath piston l0. The inner tube 14 communicates through a passage 3b formed in a head 82, with a suitable supply line 84, which may be selectively connected as hereinafter described, to a suitable source of uid pressure or to an exhaust line. The outer tube 'l2 communicates through a corresponding passage 86 formed in head 82 with a corresponding line 8? which may also be selectively connected to a source of fluid pressure or to an exhaust line.

Each broach head i8 is of the automatic locking and unlocking type, and includes a shank 94, provided with an axial passage 92, dimensioned to freely receive the upper end of the associated bro-ach 253. Shank 96 also includes a plurality of lateral passages 94, each of which receives a locking pin 96, which is movable radially therein between the retracted or released position shown in FigureZ, and an inner or locking position in which the inner face of each locking pin is received in the conventional notch 98 formed near the upper end of the associated broach 2d. The movement of the locking pins 96 to the locking position, and the positive retention thereof in such position, is controlled by an outer sleeve |40, slidable upon the shank 99, and biased to a locking position by a compression spring |42 which is Aseated between the lower surface Aof the crosshead I6 and the upper surface of the sleeve |00. In Figure 2, sleeve |00 is shown in upper or released position, in which the locking pins 9S are received in corresponding recesses |41 formed in the sleeve |60, which recesses are deep enough to permit locking pins 96 to move to positions in which they are ineffective to engage the associated broach. Each sleeve IUS may be forced to the illustrated released position, at the conclusion of each downward or return stroke of crosshead I6 by the engagement between a shoulder |06 formed on each sleeve |60 and the upper surface of the frame boss 3| which supports the work supports 3B. Downward movement of each sleeve |00 is limited by engagement of the shoulders |04 thereof with the lower end of shank 9).

Each of the work supporting members Ellincludes a central passage |08 to accommodate the associated broach 2i), and the under side of each member 30 is accurately horizontally dis- A posed, to provide a correspondingly accurate support for the associated work piece 25, during the broaching operation.

The crosshead 24, which supports the broach receiving sockets 22 in accurate vertical alignment with the broach head I8, is guided upon vertical guide rods HU, suitably supported within the machine frame, and the raising and lowering movements thereof are effected by the fluid pressure operated cylinder mechanism designated generally as H2. For convenience of vertical adjustment, to accommodate broaches 2U of different dimensions, the crosshead 24 is formed in two parts, including a rear portion l i4 and a forward portion I6, which parts are connected together by countersunk studs H3, the nuts of which lie in conventional T slots |22 formed in the portion H4. With this arrangement, as will be understood, by backing off the studs IIB, the forward portion, carrying the sockets 22, may be raised or lowered with reference to the rear portion ||4.

The fluidA pressure cylinder H2 is preferably constructed as described with reference to the cylinder 4|), and includes the outer casing |36, the innerrcasing |32 and the piston |34, which is formed at the lower end of the piston rod |36. Rod |36 is lstationarily supported at its upper end in a boss |38 which extends rearwardly from the work table 28. As most clearly shown in the fragmentary View, Figure 3, the inner tubular member |40 of piston rod |36 communicates with the chamber space beneath piston |34, and also communicates through passage |42 with a suitable line |44. The outer tubular piston rod member |46 communicates through the side ports |48 with the chamber space above piston |34, and, through the lateral passage |593, communicates with a suitable supply line |52. As described in more detail hereinafter, the lines |44 and |52 are selectively connectible to supply and exhaust lines to correspondingly eiect the upward and downward movements of crosshead 24 and consequently of sockets 22.

The work table 28, either formed integrally with or suitably secured to the frame portion i at the front of the machine, includes the horizontal portion |50, upon which the work pieces 26 rest prior to the beginning of a broaching operation and the slanting forward portions |62, along which the work pieces slide and from which they are discharged into a lateral chute |64 also shown in Figure 1. The base of chute |54 is formed as a grill |66, through which any cutting compound may passr The grill |65 also passes the chips4 which accumulate during the broaching operation. Tab1e`26 is also provided with openings |63 through which broaches 20 pass.

The automatic operating sequence hereinafter described may be effected in various ways, within the scope of the present invention. In` certain instances, it is considered desirable to utilize an automatic control system embodying valves of the uid pressure operated type, and to control the fluid operated valves through suitable auxiliary fluid control lines, the valves themselves being adapted to control the main uid pressure connections for cylinder 40 and cylinder ||2. Alternatively, the automatic control operations may be effected mechanically. For simplicity, a mechanically operated control system is shown in the present application, to illustrate one effective arrangement for providing the hereinafter described automatic operating cycle.

Referring particularly to Figure 6, cylinders 40 and I|2 are provided with main valves |10. and |12, respectively. Valve |10 communicates with cylinder 48 through thepreviously mentioned lines 84 and 81, andl valve |12 communicates with cylinder I I2 through the previously mentioned lines |44 and |52. Valves |10 and |12 are each preferably of the type which may be moved to successive operating positions thereof by unidirectional rotation of a suitable control shaft individual thereto. vThe control shaft for Valve |10 is designated |14 and the control shaft for valve A|12 is designated |16. It will be understood that uni-directional rotation of shaft |14 in the-counter-clockwise direction notches valve |10 to its successive operating positions and that corresponding counterclockwise rotation of shaft |16 notches valve |12 to its successive operating positions.

In the illustrated arrangement, valve |10 provides three different operating positions including an off position, in which flow through the valve, and consequently through cylinder 40, is prevented; an on-upstroke position in which line 84 is connected through the line |18 to a suitable pump P or other source of fiuid pressure and line 81 is connected to an exhaust line |80, which may lead to a suitable sump; and a reverse position in which line 84 is connected to the exhaust line |80 and line 81 is connected to the supply line |18. Valve |12 is arranged to provide an oli position in which flow through the valve and consequently through cylinder H2 is prevented;

an on-upstroke position, in which line I 52 is con-v nected to the supply pump and line |44 is connected to the associated exhaust line, resulting in upward movement of cylinder I I2; a second off position in which flow through the valve is prevented andin which position cylinder H2 is retained in its upper'limit position; and an ondownstroke position in which line |44 is connectedto the pump and line |52 is connected to the exhaust line,I resulting in downward or return movement of cylinder I2.

The successive notching movements of valve |10 between the three above described positions are effected by aseries of cranks I14a, |141), and |140, associated therewith, each of which is connected thereto through a conventional ratchet connection, and each of which is biased tothe normal or unoperated position by a spring associated with the hereinafter described actuating means therefor. Through the ratchet connection each crank is effective, during counterclockwise rotation, to cause counter-clockwise rotation of shaft |14 through an angle suilicient to move valve |10 from one positionA thereof to the next position thereof. The times and manner of operation of the cranks are stated in the legends appearing in Figure 6, crank |14d being operated by cylinder II2 at the end of the upstroke thereof, to move valve |10 from the off position to the on-upstroke position. Crank |14b is arranged to be operated by cylinder 40 at the end of the upstroke thereof, and throws valve |10 to the reverse position, resulting in a downward or return movement of cylinder 40. Crank |14c is arranged to be operated by cylinder 40 at thev end of the down stroke thereof, and throws valve |10 to its initial ofi` position. The operation of crank |14a is effected through push rods |82, |84 and |86 and bell cranks |88 and |90. Push rod |86 is actuated by a cam |92 carried by the cylinder |I2 when the latter reaches its upper limit position. Crank |1412` is actuated through push rods |92 and |94 and bell crank |96, push rod |94 being engaged by a cam |98 carried on cylinder 40 when the latter reaches its upper limit. Crank I14c is actuated through:

push rods 200 and 202, and bell cranks 204 and 206, the latter bell crank being rocked by a cam 208 on cylinder 40 when the latter reaches its lower limit.

Shaft 16 is adapted to be similarly operated by a series of cranks |1641, I16b, |160, |16d, each of which is connected to vshaft |16 through a ratchet and biased to the normal or unoperated K position by a 'spring as in the case of cranks I14a etc. Crank |16a is adapted to be operated by the previously mentioned manually controlled starting lever 32, positioned at the right hand side of the machine, and serves to throw the valve |12 from its initialoft position to its ori-upstroke position, in which it is effective to cause upward movement of cylinder I I2. Crank |1611 is adapted to be operated b-y cylinder |I2 at the end of its upstroke, (through push rod 2I0 and the previously .mentioned push rods |84 and |86) and results in moving valve |12 to its second off position. Crank I16c is operated by cylinder 40 at the end of the down stroke thereof, (through push rod 2 |2 and the previously mentioned push rod 202) and serves to throw valve |12 to the on-downstroke position, resulting in `adownvvard movement of cylinder |I2. The remaining crank I16d is arranged to be operated by cylinder I2 at the end of the downstroke thereof, throwing valve |12 to its initial off position. For this purpose cylinder I2 is provided with a cam 2| 4 which rocks a bell crank 2| 6, and is connected to crank |16d through push rods 2I8 and 220 and bell crank 222.

Considering now'the operation of the machine as a whole, the parts are shown in the various figures in what may be called a loading position of the machine, that is, a position in which the crosshead I6 is at the lower limit of its stroke ready to begin an upward or working stroke, and the return mechanism, comprising the sockets 22 and crosshead 24, is at the lower end of its stroke, in which position it supports the broaches 20With the upper ends thereof in spaced relation to the broach heads I8, thus permitting work pieces 26 to be slipped thereover to the positions shown, in which positions they are supported upon the horizontal portions of the table 28.

To begin a Working stroke of the machine, the manually operated starting handle 32 (Fig. 1 and 6) may be operated to actuate valve |12 to the on-upstroke position as previously described.

This action connects cylinder mechanism I'I2 to 75 the source of luid pressure in a direction to cause upward movement of crosshead 24 and broaches 2U. As cylinder I I2 approaches the upper limit of its stroke, it operates the crank IIb, moving valve I'I2 to the off position, and bringing cylinder II2 to rest, in which position it is retained by the fluid trapped Within the cylinder I I2 until the next operation of valve I'I2.

The stopping of cylinder II2 is timed to occur after the upper end of each broach 2i? has entered the central opening 92 formed in the shank of the associated broach head, and slightly before such upper end engages the base oi such opening. During this entering movement of each broach 20, the locking pins 96 associated with the locking head I8 individual thereto occupy the retracted positions to which they were moved at the conclusion of the previous breaching operation, and thus do not interfere with such movement.

The arrival of cylinder mechanism II2 at its upward limit also actuates crank I'Ma associated with valve I'Il, moving this valve to the onupstrokeposition, and resulting in initiating an upward or working stroke of cylinder fill. The upward movement of cylinder Il? causes corresponding upward movement of both broach heads I8. In the initial stages of the upward. movement of'broach heads I8, the compression springs it?. individualthereto act to maintain the sleeves stationary. VThe consequent relative movement between each breach head shank 9i) and the associated sleeve IEE, cams the locking pins individual thereto inwardly, into locking position within the notch 98 formed in the associated broach 20. It will be understood that the notch 98 in each broach 26 is long enough to allow for this relative movement.

Upon movement of the locking pins 96 to the locking position as just described, the continued upward movement of cylinder Il eiects a corresponding upward movement of the broaches 21S, during the initial stages of which the work pieces 26 are carried upwardly with the breaches, until such time as they engage the under sides of the work supports 3|). At such time, the upward movements of the work pieces 25 are interrupted and the further movement of breaches 2i) results in the broaching of the work pieces. At the coni clusion of breaching operation, the work pieces 2E fall freely away from the ends of broaches 2S, and are deflected along the sloping table 28 into the previously mentioned chute ISIS.

When cylinder lli! reaches the upper limit of its stroke, it operates crank I'ilb to throw valve iiil to the reverse position in which it connects cylinder IIB for downward operation. At the conclusion of its return or downward stroke, cylinder 40 operates cam I'ic', which, as previously described, throws valve I'E to the initial off position, stopping it and maintaining it at rest at its starting position.

Just prior to the arrival of cylinder tlc at its stopping position, the under Vsurface of each broach head sleeve E06 engages the upper Ysupporting surface of the boss or bracket 3l and is accordingly stopped thereby. The iinal downward movements of cylinder 4|] thus results in effecting relative movement between each sleeve and each shank 90, against the force of the compression springs I02 associated therewith, and permitting retracting movements of the locking pins 96, The retracting movements are effected by the weight of the associated broach.

The release of each broach 210, as just described, occurs at or about the time the lower end thereof reaches the base of its associated socket 22. Upon being released, from heads I8 accordingly, breaches 20 are directly received by and supported by sockets 22.

The arrival of cylinder 4D at its starting position also actuates crank I'ic to move valve |12 to the on-downstroke position, resulting in a -downward or return stroke of cylinder mechanism I I2, carrying with it the crosshead 24, sockets 22 and broaches 2U.

When` cylinder II2 reaches its lower limit of travel, it actuates crank I'Id to thereby move valve I`I2 to the off position, stopping cylinder I I2 in its lower limit position. At the conclusion of this operation, all of the operating mechanisms are in their initial positions, and in readiness for a duplicate operating cycle, which may be initiated in the manner previously described. As will be understood, during the period that breaches 2E are in spaced relation from the associated broach heads, new work pieces 26 may be fitted thereover, in readiness for the next operation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a fully automatic broaching machine, the operating cycle of which is relatively simple and direct. As will be evident, various modifications in the form, number and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is to be understood, therefore, that the described embodiment is to be considered in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

A broaching machine comprising, in combination, a broach head operable to draw a broach in one direction from a starting position through a working stroke and to return it to said starting position; broach receiving mechanism effective to receive said broach at said starting position and move it in a direction opposite to said working stroke to a retracted loading position and to return the broach to the starting position; power means for effecting said movements of said broach receiving mechanism and of said broach head; a control member engageable and movable by said broach receiving mechanism upon the arrival of said broach receiving mechanism at said starting position for actuating said power means to cause said broach to start from said starting position and draw said broach through said working stroke; and a control member engageable and movable by said broach head upon the arrival of said broach head at said starting position for actuating said powerV means to cause said broach receiving mechanism to move said broach to said retracted position.

WILLIAM A. HART. 

